ND’s vs. MD’s – And the Winner Is…

When you experience an illness and need medical assistance, who is the first person that comes to your mind?

Some people will say a family doctor – Pediatrician for children, general practitioner or an internist for adults, cardiologist for heart conditions, and so on. However, a percentage of the population may prefer to see a naturopathic doctor. Which begs the question, who is better, an ND or MD? Read on to find out more.

The Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges (AANMC) in Washington DC was established to help advance and support the practice of naturopathic medicine. In an article published on their website, the organization dispels one of the most common misconceptions people have about naturopathic doctors being opposed to conventional medicine:

“…The truth is that many naturopathic doctors work hand-in-hand with medical doctors and other healthcare professionals in integrative settings across North America. According to Statista, 70% percent of Americans believe naturopathic medicines and treatments have a positive effect.”

Furthermore, they added how ND’s and MD’s work together:

– Both want what’s best for the patient.– Both are seeking ways to alleviate chronic pain.– Both are working to reverse autoimmune diseases.

“Three years ago I knew nothing of functional and naturopathic medicine. Sure, I was aware of acupuncture and chiropractic, but I never really considered how to blend alternative therapies like these into my medical practice, much less my own personal health. Today, alternative medicine plays a huge part in how I treat my patients and myself nearly every day.”

He also listed 5 things that convinced him to integrate naturopathic treatments with his conventional medical approach. You can read more here.

“More conventional physicians are working hand-in-hand with alternative health practitioners than ever before. We’re realizing that they often know more than we do about the effects of diet and lifestyle choices on our health. The more we listen to them, learn from them, and exchange our very different approaches to medical care, the better it is for our patients—and what many of them want and need to heal.”

As far as education and training are concerned, naturopathic doctors do not fell short compared to traditional medical doctors:

“Many people believe that naturopathic doctors receive little to no training, especially compared with traditional medical doctors. But in reality, naturopathic doctors attend four-year, full-time accredited medical schools. Similar to medical doctors, naturopathic medicine students gain a thorough knowledge of biomedical sciences by taking anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pathology, and pharmacology courses. They must also obtain a license by passing the Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Exam, as well as apply for licensure in their individual state or province.”

Although choosing which doctor to approach is still a personal preference, people should keep an open mind about how each has its own strengths and weaknesses, and how these can impact their state of health. As a closing note, AANMC sums it up perfectly:

“Rather than naturopathic doctors and conventional medical doctors being seen as opponents, they should be viewed as allies. MDs and NDs increasingly work in integrative medicine settings as colleagues, with the ultimate goal of better patient outcomes. These doctors share the same objective, have complimentary methods of diagnosis and treatment, and can each pursue a path that will help their patients get better.”